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Biographical Information

I am a professor of Astronomy and Oceanography and have been teaching at UH Maui College since 1982.  I completed my undergraduate work in physics at the University of California at Santa Barbara, with additional work in marine science. I completed my graduate work in physics at the University of Colorado at Boulder, with additional work and research in high-energy physics and astrophysics.  I love living in nice places, so Hawaii in general, and Maui in particular, is the perfect place for my ocean, space, and leisure-time activities!

I am the Associate Director for the NASA Space Grant Program at UH Maui College, as well as a faculty advisor for the Marine Option Program at UHMC. I also serve as a Diving Safety Officer/Divemaster for scientific diving courses taught in the University of Hawaii system, and also do dive consulting work and training throughout the Pacific. I am a diving instructor for NAUI (National Association of Underwater Instructors), teaching all levels of diving and specialty courses, including research, marine archaeology, and nitrox (oxygen-enriched) diving.  I co-authored a textbook for the UH QUEST (Quantitative Underwater Ecological Surveying Techniques) course on scientific diving techniques with faculty from the University of Hawaii at Hilo, and have had a number of underwater photographs published in a new textbook on scientific diving techniques.

I have been involved in a number of community service activities on Maui and have given presentations, organized activities, and provided teacher training for many schools throughout Maui County including Moloka'i, Lana'i, and home schools.  I have also had the opportunity to contribute to a number of charitable organizations in the community by playing benefit concerts with one of the bands I'm in.

My current community service interests include public education and projects relating to the coastal and nearshore marine environments, various astronomy activities, and environmental awareness and education.

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Personal Interests

I love world travel, writing, playing music, and photography (terrestrial and underwater).  When not involved in other projects, I like to take off during the summer and head off to remote places for adventure, occasionally doing a bit of consulting or diving work. I'm into both recreational and scientific diving, with thousands of logged dives throughout the U.S., Caribbean, Pacific, Asia, and Indonesia.  I just returned from a one-year sabbatical that took me all over the world, and included diving off of Bali, sailing through the San Juan islands, travels through South America and Europe, and three incredible weeks in Antarctica.

I also enjoy flying small planes, but don't seem to be finding much time for it these days.  I keep promising myself I'm going to get back into it soon. I've gotten back into playing music more, however, and currently play bass guitar with two different groups here on Maui. One is a Hawaiian group (we recorded an album back in 1989) and the other is a band called The Turpentine Cats  We've been playing together for about seven years and recently recorded a CD.  I really enjoy the creative outlet that music offers, and it's something totally different from the academic-type stuff that I do. I also write poetry and songs, but don't show those to too many people!  I'm also into good books, lifelong learning, surfing, and skiing.   

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Current Projects/Research

Project 1

Observations of asteroids, including Earth-crossing asteroids, satellites, and Earth-orbiting space debris. These observations utilize telescopes at Haleakala Observatory and a site in Kihei above the Maui Research and Technology Park, to detect, track, and catalog these various objects. Image processing and data analysis is conducted at the Maui Research and Technology Park, utilizing the super computer at the Maui High Performance Computing Center. The tracking and cataloging of space debris is important not only for current space missions (including the Space Shuttle), but will be very important when the International Space Station is completed. My projects in this area also involve working with research scientists and utilizing them as mentors for MCC students in our Space Grant Program. There are many interesting opportunities for students interested in becoming involved in this program.

 

Project 2

Nearshore underwater ecological surveys and scientific diving projects and education, conducted through the University of Hawaii and MCC Marine Option Programs, and other agencies such as the Department of Land and Natural Resources (DLNR) and the Division of Aquatic Resources (DAR). These projects and courses are conducted throughout Hawaii and the Pacific.  I am also part of a group of coral reef scientists doing comprehensive surveys to assess and monitor Hawaii's coral reefs.  We utilize students trained in the Marine Option Program to assist with the surveys.  The Maui Community College Marine Option Program provides many opportunities for students at MCC interested in marine science and the marine environment.

 

Project 3

Development of educational materials utilizing a variety of multimedia materials and the World Wide Web for astronomy and oceanography courses at MCC. I am also interested in developing new interdisciplinary science curricula at the college, and am currently developing research and internship projects and opportunities for students in our Space Grant and Marine Option Programs.

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Classes/Programs

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Contact Information

If you have questions, or would like to receive information on any of the programs or opportunities mentioned above, please contact me by e-mail or at my office at UHMC.

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Links to Other Sites

• NASA Space Grant Program at UHMC
• UHMC Marine Option Program
• AMOS
• QUEST
• Kalakaua Marine Education Center
• SOEST
• NASA
• NOAA
• NAUI
• TDI
• Some Interesting Deep Diving Work
• Other Scuba Stuff
• Maui High Performance Computing Center
• Maui Community College Homepage

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